The Severn Valley Railway is taking part in the National Lottery Open Week between 18th and 26th March, with a massive ticket giveaway to National Lottery players.

The popular heritage line is offering free afternoon trips between Kidderminster and Highley to hundreds of players on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets are available to pre-book online at svr.co.uk/lottery for the 12 noon departure from Kidderminster to Highley on 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th of March.

Passengers can return on any timetabled service, and will need to bring proof of a National Lottery purchase with them on the day of travel.

This can be either a draw-based game or a scratch card, bought on any date in store or online. Michael Dunn, the Railway’s Head of Commercial and Visitor Experience said:

“We’re thrilled to be taking part in this national event, making hundreds of free tickets available as our way of saying thank you to National Lottery players.

“It’s thanks to them that the Severn Valley Railway has been able to benefit from significant grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Over the years, it’s helped to make many different SVR projects possible, including the restoration of our flagship locomotive 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’, the restoration of Falling Sands viaduct, as well as building The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley and the Carriage Shed at Kidderminster.”

The Severn Valley Railway reopens for its 2023 season on 4th March, and will run between Kidderminster and Highley only on weekends during this month. Essential engineering works are taking place north of Highley, which prevent operation of the full line until 1st April.

The National Lottery supports good cause projects in the areas of arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport and community.

Over the past 28 years, National Lottery players have raised more than £46 billion for projects which are making a huge difference to the lives of people and communities throughout the whole of the UK.